Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.
Too good to be true pretty much sums up this week’s Falling Skies. After the uplifting discovery that Charleston was real the 2nd Mass quickly learn that good old-fashioned political red tape is thriving inside the recesses of this makeshift paradise. Naturally, the 2nd Mass find themselves clashing with the complacent residence of Charleston and events quickly tumble out of control. Terry O’Quinn and Matt Frewer guest star in this pivotal episode.
O’Quinn plays Arthur Manchester, a former professor and somewhat of a mentor to Tom Mason. Despite their friendship, the two quickly find themselves at odds when it’s apparent that Manchester is more interested in making his mark on history as a political icon instead of using Charleston as a staging ground to fight back against the invaders. O’Quinn, as always, does a great job here, delivering on Manchester’s delusions of grandeur as he fancies himself as an equal to the political leaders of the American revolution.
General Bressler, played by Matt Frewer, is Manchester’s counterpart. He’s a chief military officer who begrudgingly sits on key intelligence instead of acting on it. Which is obviously frustrating for both Mason and Weaver who are use to giving the orders instead of taking them.
We’ve previously seen Falling Skies play on themes surrounding military versus civilian control in this post invasion scenario. The beauty of Mason and Weaver’s unique friendship is that they’ve found balance between the two ideologies. Mason understands the need for military control while Weaver ensures that the civilian side of things is not forgotten. In Charleston, it’s almost as if the entire populace has forgotten about the war and Manchester seems to think that establishing a new government while also ignoring the alien invasion is the way to go.
Manchester’s delusion of a civilian controlled paradise run amuck amongst the people of Charleston is fascinating to witness. A pompous heart surgeon who is quick to bark a few complaints about having to treat mundane problems best exemplifies how disconnected the citizens are to what is going in the outside world. It was great to see Dr. Glass swiftly put him in his place. It’s good to see that her combat experience has transformed her into someone who isn't going to take a bit of crap from anyone.
There were a few aspects of Charleston that I did appreciate and the concept of the community works for the most part. The morning delivery of the South Carolina Gazette is a strong reminder that there can be stability post-invasion. I also found myself agreeing with the decision to round up the 2nd Mass’s weapons despite Mason’s pleas to the contrary. Even if they are at war, weapon distribution based on need makes sense. Having everyone carrying guns in a small eco system like Charleston could prove deadly.
As a microcosm of American ideals upheld in the face of a post-apocalyptic world Charleston proves fascinating. I would have liked to see the story spend a little more time exploring that concept but things end up moving quickly in the final twenty minutes.
With Mason and Manchester at odds regarding some new intelligence from the Skitter rebellion, the latter half of the episode moves at a breakneck speed with people breaking out of jail and put back in a cell two or three times over the course of several minutes as Manchester’s power begins to slip between his fingers. It all happens a little too quickly, but considering there are only ten episodes in the season, I think the writers can be forgiven for that.
The final decision rests on the shoulders of General Bressler, who has sat on his hands far too long and finally makes the decision to lock Manchester up and take the offensive. Just as things begin heating up, the episode ends abruptly. I wonder if the original intent was to have this episode air along with the finale. Regardless, the final few moments certainly have me excited for next week.
One element of “The Price of Greatness” that I found a bit jarring was Tector. His immediate transformation into a soldier was a little jarring. We’re informed that he was former military last week but he’s quick to turn into a take-orders-without-thinking drone. I’m glad that he decided to stand with his 2nd Mass buddies in the final moments of the episode but I’m not sure what the reasoning was behind the swift transformation in character.
Source : ign[dot]com
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